Derrick Rose IS THE BEST PG in the NBA

[zack54attack]

I'd rather Rose have a off game now rather than in the playoffs lol

[FirstTimer]

LOL at Rondo wanting to give the MVP to a guy who's team is below .500 against teams that are above .500.

[dave]

ESPN Insider article on da Bulls:

 

By John Hollinger

Ask somebody about this season's Chicago Bulls, and the answer you'll get is likely to be something along the lines of "DerrickRoseDerrickRoseDerrickRoseDerrickRose. "

Not to diminish what Rose has accomplished in what's been a breakout season for the third-year star, but the focus on his season has left the Bulls one of the most misunderstood teams in basketball. Chicago has the league's fifth-best record and is challenging for the top seed in the East for several reasons, and other than Rose, those reasons have received comparatively little attention. So let's look a little closer.

It's the defense.

From one perspective, the focus on the point guard's offensive accomplishments seems misguided. The Bulls have the league's 16th-best offense this season, and while that may improve a little during the second half of the season with Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah back from injury, offense will remain a distant second on the list of reasons for Chicago's success.

Instead, the Bulls are winning with a suffocating defense that allows their very ordinary offense to be enough on most nights. Chicago is No. 1 in defensive efficiency, an accomplishment made more amazing by the fact that Noah, the team's defensive stalwart, has missed just more than half of its games (30 of 59).

But it's important to understand the Bulls as an extreme defensive team to understand their success. You often hear, sometimes in praise of Rose's offensive prowess, people wondering aloud about how the Bulls can be playing so well with Keith Bogans at shooting guard and only two good scorers.

The answer is that offensively, they're not playing so well. They're just so awesome on defense that it doesn't matter.

And in particular, it's been the supporting cast that's been dominant defensively. Speaking of which ...

It's the bench.

Chicago's defensive stats with its starters in the game are pretty good. But with the bench? They're ridiculously good.

The Bulls give up just more than a point per possession with any of their five starters on the court, but with the second unit, it's a different story. When Taj Gibson is on the floor, opponents score .994 points per trip. When Ronnie Brewer plays, they muster just .956. When C.J. Watson plays, the number drops to .938.

And with Omer Asik on the court, it's a phenomenal .919 points per possession. Asik, not Rose, is the team leader in plus/minus, even though he has limited offensive skills and a player efficiency rating of 11.35. The backup center is a force as a shot-blocker and help defender, combining with Gibson to form what is, hands down, the best second-unit defensive frontcourt in basketball.

Nobody thinks of Asik as a dominating defensive player because he has a fairly thin build and limited offensive skills, plus it's hard to consider somebody an intimidating presence when he looks like the chef from "Ratatouille." But trust me, he's a monster. This time, instead of hearing me rave about Asik's D again, listen to his coaches.

"When you put he and Taj out there together, the defense of that unit has been great," Bulls coach Tim Thibodeau said. "That's his mindset, and he's got a lot of experience. It's international experience, so in my eyes he's not a typical rookie. He's very, very bright, picks things up quickly, rarely makes the same mistake twice and [has] great drive, a great worker."

Yet Thibodeau sounds like a rank pessimist compared to assistant coach Ron Adams.

"I think he can be as good as any defensive player in this league," Adams said. "Defensively, I just think he's top-of-the-line. And he's getting close to it already."

Of course, it's not just the rook -- Asik is playing only 11.7 minutes per game, so as dominant as he's been defensively, he explains only a portion of Chicago's improved D.

Gibson, as Thibodeau mentioned, also has been a major factor. So has Brewer, with his perimeter ball hawking, and of course Noah. But perhaps the best attribute of Chicago's defense is that, other than Boozer, there really hasn't been a weak link. Rose was a poor defender under Vinny Del Negro but has improved dramatically this season, while Kyle Korver -- the closest thing to a weakness on the perimeter -- has good size and is a quality team defender.

On the other hand, a lot of these guys were on far less successful defensive teams in the past. The Bulls were good defensively a year ago, but by no means great. Boozer, Korver and Brewer were all part of mediocre defensive teams in Utah, with Brewer washing out as a defensive stopper. Watson participated in a woeful Golden State defense and appeared to be no better than his peers, while Bogans and Kurt Thomas have been mostly bit players.

Which takes us to the next logical conclusion …

It's the coach.

Yes, Tom Thibodeau's stuff works. The top defensive assistant in Boston, he was the architect of the Celtics' system that won a title in 2008 and has largely stymied opponents ever since. In fact, you can argue that Thibodeau owns the top two defenses in the game -- the Bulls are first in defensive efficiency, and the Celtics are second.

Before coming to Boston, Thibodeau was Jeff Van Gundy's defensive guru in Houston, where he posted similarly gaudy defensive stats despite some teams that appear to be rather modestly talented in that department.

Sum it all up, and there's a fairly ironclad coach of the year case to be made for Thibodeau, especially given the injuries to Boozer and Noah that Chicago has overcome this season. That doesn't mean he'll win, not when Gregg Popovich has the Spurs en route to a mid-60s win total, Rick Carlisle is squeezing just as much out of the Mavs and Doug Collins is leading the Sixers to a surprise playoff charge.

But the Bulls' collective success is best understood as a combination of a great defensive concept being implemented by a 10-deep roster, one on which the bench is even more suffocating than the starters.

Rose's plays fill the highlight film, and for good reason -- many of them are spectacular. But in explaining how shockingly good Chicago has been thus far, all that takes a backseat. Rose may be the savior on offense, but in explaining the Bulls' success this season, the holy trinity is the D, the bench and the coach.

Thanks to ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell for his reporting included in this piece.

[FirstTimer]

Not surprised to see Hollinger down play Rose since he hypes LeBron for MVP all the time.

[St. Francisco]

I'll be at the Heat-Spurs game tonight. I am a witness!

[Archer]

Not surprised to see Hollinger down play Rose since he hypes LeBron for MVP all the time.

Hollinger is an advanced stats guy and stat geeks don't like Derrick Rose.

[FirstTimer]

Hollinger is an advanced stats guy and stat geeks don't like Derrick Rose.

Rose: Only player in NBA in top 10 points and assists.

Hollinger lost cred as soon as he started pumpung up Omer fucking Asik

[Archer]

Rose: Only player in NBA in top 10 points and assists.

Hollinger lost cred as soon as he started pumpung up Omer fucking Asik

Hollinger likes to point out how Rose is lower then other MVP candidates in PER and other advanced stats

Coincidentally... LeBron is first in just about all of them which he thinks helps his retarded argument.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Fuck Hollinger and fuck PER.

[FirstTimer]

Rose with some shakey play up 6 but again james disappears for pretty much the entire 4th and chokes on it in the final seconds.
BlackBerry9650/5.0.0.1006 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105

[zack54attack]

MVP

[manchild24]

Chris Mullen or Barry said he is all but unstopable.

[NAHSTE]

There's an ESPN article up right now that compares Wade to Rose and concludes that Rose is better. It's insider though, sorry.

But Rose is unbelievable to watch. Seeing Mike Bibby try to guard him yesterday was such great comedy.

[Juggernaut]

There's an ESPN article up right now that compares Wade to Rose and concludes that Rose is better. It's insider though, sorry.

But Rose is unbelievable to watch. Seeing Mike Bibby try to guard him yesterday was such great comedy.

You could c/p it...

[Juggernaut]

found it with google

This comes courtesy of ESPN Insider (Neither I nor CBS owns the following material):

Positions don't define superstars. Their games do. Elite players take over in crucial moments, make their teams better and guard anyone who happens to be in front of them. In other words, a nightly checklist for this week's combatants.In this clash of Chicago-born high flyers Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade, two of the most electrifying guards in the game go head-to-head for Windy City bragging rights. While Rose looks to become a permanent fixture in the ranks of the upper elite, Wade is having yet another All-NBA season despite a new role as sidekick to fellow superstar LeBron James.Unless they get cross matched, Wade and Rose will only see each other face to face for a handful of possessions. But make no mistake, those possessions could decide the game.Rose is riding a tidal wave of MVP buzz into the last third of the regular season. But he'll need much more than buzz to beat out D-Wade in this matchup.



Key Strength

ROSE: QUICKNESS

Rose makes a living with the quickest wheels in the business. His explosion after his nifty crossover makes him nearly unguardable. He can put enough space between himself and a defender to get off an uncontested 18-foot jump shot on the wing or the elbow, but he's best at using that quickness to get to the rim. What makes it dicey for defenders is that he can change directions two or three times from the top of the key to the rim without slowing down. His jump stop toward the rim doesn't drain momentum, allowing Rose to use his sculpted 6-foot-3, 190-pound body to power home a finish. Want to see him really move? Check the break. "When he gets the rebound and pushes it, we're unstoppable," says Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. "He's a freight train, and it's a basket or a foul every time."

WADE: SCORING CREATIVITY

On his forays to the rim, Wade possesses unparalleled artistry. He routinely takes and makes shots he doesn't practice. During the course of a game, his shots are like snowflakes -- each different from the next and beautiful to look at. Impeccable mid-air balance, hang time and an ability to shoot with either hand make him one of the game's best scorers in the half court. He's also got the strength to take the ball across his body without sacrificing control in order to get off a good shot. But it's not just flash, his creativity has a functional purpose, since Wade is reacting to the defense and simply moving the ball and contorting his body to avoid his shot being blocked. Fortunately for Wade, his exemplary shot-making skills often bail him out of even the most ill-advised attempts.

Advantage: Rose



Key Weakness

ROSE: DEFENSIVE AWARENESS

Rose's focus on D waned early in his career, and he had a habit of reaching, which caused him to get beat more often than someone with his athleticism should. Under the defensive-minded Thibodeau, Rose has made the biggest defensive gains of his career, gambling less and improving his shot challenges. But in Thibodeau's zone-like system, which relies heavily on helping, Rose will still miss assignments from time to time, earning an earful from his coach. "He's better on the ball, but now we're working on recognizing defensive pictures quicker," Bulls assistant coach Ron Adams says. "And my goal for him is to grab five defensive rebounds per game."

WADE: HELP DEFENSE

Wade has gotten into the habit of roaming the floor in search of big plays but often finds himself in no man's land, leaving his man wide open. He has had a tendency to overcommit on help defense in the past because of his ability to cover so much ground, but at this point in his career, Wade must recognize help situations better and use more discretion when leaving his man. On Feb. 24 with the score tied against the Miami Heat, Rose drove hard down the left side of the lane while being guarded tightly by LeBron James. Wade left Luol Deng in the corner to help when it wasn't needed. Rose then hit Deng who drilled a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining. The Heat lost 93-89.

Advantage: Push



Secret Skill

ROSE: THE REVERSE LAYUP

Rose is among the best at using the rim to shield the ball from an attacking big man, a big reason why the reverse layup has become his most reliable weapon. When he drives the baseline, the help defense will collapse down from the top looking for a block. Rose will take off from the immediate side of the rim and bait the defense into jumping before reversing and finishing safely on the opposite side. But he smartly utilizes the move when he drives down the middle of the lane as well, simply shifting the ball to the opposite side of the rim from which the help defender is approaching. Rose will also use the rim as a shield in transition to avoid the come-from-behind block, essentially ruining any angle a trailing defender might have.

WADE: THE SIDESTEP

It's not really in Wade's game to run over defenders. Instead, he has developed a highly effective move to skirt would-be defenders. When he penetrates the lane in half court or transition, after picking up his dribble and taking his first step, he pushes off his right foot and steps wide around the defender who's looking to draw a charge. He often follows it with a scoop shot or runner variation. Known as a Eurostep, opponents often complain Wade travels because his two steps come in opposite directions and the second is extra long and a bit drawn out. "People get aggravated because you play good D and he goes right around you," former teammate Dorell Wright says. They can complain all they want but it's a legit move and effective as any in the league.

Advantage: Wade



Intangibles

ROSE: HUMILITY

In an age of boisterous superstars and unchecked bravado, Rose's quiet humility has endeared him to his teammates. "I think his personality is great for this team," fellow Bull Joakim Noah says. "Everything he does is sincere, and guys want to play hard for him." Just as important, his humbleness has served him well in a tough town to be a superstar -- especially for a homegrown talent. "There's so much pressure that comes with playing in Chicago," former Bulls guard Jamal Crawford says. "Everybody wants you to live up to MJ. They want you to do the impossible. Because he's so humble he keeps everything in perspective and never gets bothered by it."

WADE: TOUGHNESS

Wade is known for picking himself up when he's down. Literally. Wade probably hits the ground more than any player in the game yet shows uncanny resiliency in shrugging off a myriad bumps and bruises. One of the reasons Wade is able to survive his collisions with the hardwood is that he's become an expert at falling down, sliding on his butt or pushing off the floor with his hands to lessen the impact. But sometimes it's unavoidable. Against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 3, Dwight Howard hit Wade in midair, dropping him six feet onto his back. To Wade's credit, he picked himself up and went to the free-throw line before returning to play the fourth quarter.

Advantage: Rose



Player POV

"Rose is a true MVP candidate right now. He's playing the best basketball of anyone in the league. He's just dominating games, and he's one of the best athletes around and only getting better. Everyone said his shooting was weak, and he's answered that. I love his approach to the game and the intensity he brings. He really deserves all the credit he's getting because he's legit. People are always talking about him as the MVP for a reason. He's just a special player."-- Deron Williams, PG, Nets

"Wade is as tough a cover as you'll find. His body is strong and solid and his big hands are like mitts. That gives him a huge advantage offensively because he can do so many different things with the ball. He's so crafty with his shot fakes and the way he splits double teams, too. His smarts make him really hard to guard. Everybody knows he's going to go left, but there's really nothing you can do. You just have to hope he's having an off night. He's the best there is right now."-- Dorell Wright, SF, Warriors



And the winner is...

DERRICK ROSE.

By the slimmest of margins Rose has proven himself the better player. He may lack Wade's charisma and panache, but Rose edges him in a number of significant areas that matter more to superstardom. Wade is a marquee slasher, but Rose gets into the lane even more easily and is already a better shooter from the elbow and behind the arc.

No guard is better at getting to the line than D-Wade, but Rose is not far off ( 6.3 to 8.7 FTA on almost three fewer drives per game) and shoots a much higher free-throw percentage (83.8 to 73.1). And, despite the fact he handles the ball on every possession, Rose is averaging only 0.3 more turnovers than Wade.

"He's playing like he's unstoppable," Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo says. "He's so explosive, and now he's knocking down shots so he's basically doing everything."

This season Rose is on track to become just the seventh player in history to average at least 24 points and eight assists." There is a certain type of desire to be great that select guys have," says Adams, the Bulls assistant. "Michael Jordan had it. And Derrick has it, too." Rose is looking for something else MJ has. If the next six weeks hold to form Rose will likely become the first Bull to win MVP since Jordan and, in the process, officially claim the throne as the best guard in the league.